[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40001-40002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-3692]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


International Buyer Program Support for Domestic Trade Shows

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and call for applications for the International Buyer 
Program for the period October 1, 2006, through December 31, 2007.

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Contact: Office of Global Trade Programs; Room 2012; Department of 
Commerce; Washington, DC 20230; tel: (202) 482-4457; Fax: (202) 482-
0178.

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application 
review criteria associated with support for domestic trade shows by the 
International Buyer Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC). 
As the program is changing from a fiscal year to a calendar year basis, 
this announcement covers selection for International Buyer Program 
participation for Fiscal Year 2007 (October 1, 2006 through September 
30, 2007) and the 1st quarter of Fiscal Year 2008 (October 1, 2007 
through December 31, 2007).
    The International Buyer Program was established to bring 
international buyers together with U.S. firms by promoting leading U.S. 
trade shows in industries with high export potential. The International 
Buyer Program emphasizes cooperation between the DOC and trade show 
organizers to benefit U.S. firms exhibiting at selected events and 
provides practical, hands-on assistance such as export counseling and 
market analysis to U.S. companies interested in exporting. The 
assistance provided to show organizers includes worldwide overseas 
promotion of selected shows to potential international buyers, end-
users, representatives and distributors.
    The worldwide promotion is executed through the offices of the DOC 
United States and Foreign Commercial Service (hereinafter referred to 
as the Commercial Service) in more than 70 countries representing 
America's major trading partners, and also in U.S. Embassies in 
countries where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices. As 
the program is changing from a fiscal year to a calendar year basis, 
the Department expects to select approximately 50 shows for the October 
1, 2006 through December 31, 2007 period from among applicants to the 
program. Shows selected for the International Buyer Program will 
provide a venue for U.S. companies interested in expanding their sales 
into international markets. Successful show organizer applicants will 
be required to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the 
DOC.
    The MOU constitutes an agreement between the DOC and the show 
organizer specifying which responsibilities are to be undertaken by DOC 
as part of the IBP and, in turn, which responsibilities are to be 
undertaken by the show organizer. Anyone requesting information about 
applying will be sent a copy of the MOU along with the application 
package. The responsibilities to be undertaken by DOC will be carried 
out by the Commercial Service.

DATES: Applications must be received within 60 days after the 
publication date of this Federal Register notice. Participation fees 
(discussed below) are for shows selected and promoted during the period 
between October 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007.

[[Page 40002]]


ADDRESSES: International Buyer Program, Global Trade Programs, U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., H2107, 
Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-0146 (for deadline purposes, 
facsimile or e-mail applications will be accepted as interim 
applications, to be followed by signed original applications).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Boney, Product Manager, 
International Buyer Program, Room 2114, Global Trade Programs, U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20230. Telephone (202) 482-0146; Fax: (202) 482-0115; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commercial Service is accepting 
applications for the International Buyer Program for events taking 
place between October 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007. A participation 
fee of $8,000 for shows of five days or less is required. For shows 
more than five days in duration, or requiring more than one 
International Business Center, a participation fee of $14,000 is 
required.
    Under the IBP, the Commercial Service seeks to bring together 
international buyers with U.S. firms by selecting and promoting in 
international markets U.S. domestic trade shows covering industries 
with high export potential. Selection of a trade show is valid for one 
event, i.e., a trade show organizer seeking selection for a recurring 
event must submit a new application for selection for each occurrence 
of the event. Even if the event occurs more than once in the 15-month 
period covering this announcement, the trade show organizer must submit 
a separate application for each event.
    The Commercial Service will select approximately 50 events for 
support between October 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007, inclusive. The 
Commercial Service will select those events that, in its judgment, most 
clearly meet the Commercial Service's statutory mandate to promote U.S. 
exports, especially those of small- and medium-size enterprises, and 
that best meet selection criteria articulated below.
    The Department selects trade shows to be International Buyer 
Program partners that it determines to be leading international trade 
shows appropriate for participation by U.S. exporting firms and for 
promotion in overseas markets by U.S. Embassies and Consulates. 
Selection as an International Buyer Program partner does not constitute 
a guarantee by the U.S. Government of the show's success. International 
Buyer Program partnership status is not an endorsement of the show 
organizer except as to its international buyer activities. Non-
selection should not be viewed as a finding that the event will not be 
successful in the promotion of U.S. exports.
    Exclusions: Trade shows that are either first-time or horizontal 
(non-industry specific) events will not be considered.
    General Selection Criteria: The Department will select shows to be 
International Buyer Program partners that, in the judgment of the 
Department, best meet the following criteria:
    (a) Export Potential: The trade show promotes products and services 
from U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by 
DOC sources, e.g., Commercial Service best prospects lists and U.S. 
export statistics (certain industries are rated as priorities by our 
domestic and international commercial officers in their Country 
Commercial Guides).
    (b) International Interest: The trade show meets the needs of a 
significant number of overseas markets and corresponds to marketing 
opportunities as identified by the posts in their Country Commercial 
Guides (e.g. best prospect lists). Previous international attendance at 
the show may be used as an indicator.
    (c) U.S. Content of Show Exhibitors: Trade shows with exhibitors 
featuring a high percentage of U.S. products or products with a high 
degree of U.S. content will be preferred. Generally, to have ``U.S. 
content'', products and services to be exhibited should be produced or 
manufactured in the U.S., or if produced or manufactured outside of the 
U.S., the products or services should contain more than 50% U.S. 
content and should be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm.
    (d) Stature of the show: The trade show is clearly recognized by 
the industry it covers as a leading event for the promotion of that 
industry's products and services, both domestically and 
internationally, and as a showplace for the latest technology or 
services in that industry or sector.
    (e) Exhibitor Interest: There is demonstrated interest on the part 
of U.S. exhibitors in receiving international business visitors during 
the trade show. A significant number of U.S. exhibitors should be new-
to-export or seeking to expand sales into additional international 
markets.
    (f) Overseas Marketing: There has been a demonstrated effort to 
market prior shows overseas. In addition, the applicant should describe 
in detail the international marketing program to be conducted for the 
event, explaining how efforts should increase individual and group 
international attendance. (Planned cooperation with Visit USA 
Committees overseas is desirable.)
    (g) Logistics: The trade show site, facilities, transportation 
services, and availability of accommodations are of the stature of an 
international-class trade show.
    (h) Cooperation: The applicant demonstrates a willingness to 
cooperate with the Commercial Service to fulfill the program's goals 
and to adhere to target dates set out in the MOU and the event 
timetable, both of which are available from the program office (see the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above on when, where, and how 
to apply). Past experience in the IBP will be taken into account in 
evaluating current applications to the program.
    Legal Authority: The Commercial Service has the legal authority to 
enter into MOUs with show organizers (partners) under the provisions of 
the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (MECEA), as 
amended (22 U.S.C. 2455(f) and 2458 (c)). MECEA allows the Commercial 
Service to accept contributions of funds and services from firms for 
the purposes of furthering its mission. The statutory program authority 
for the Commercial Service to conduct the International Buyer Program 
is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements of the application to this program 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 
2501 et seq.) (OMB Control No. 0625-0151). Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection 
of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number.

    Dated: July 6, 2005.
Donald Businger,
Director, Office of Trade Event Programs, U.S. and Foreign Commercial 
Service, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. E5-3692 Filed 7-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P